Why Will the US Defend Israel but Not Ukraine?

A medium-range ballistic missile target is launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii, as part of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s Flight Test Aegis Weapon System 31 Event 1a (FTM-31 E1a), held on March 30, 2023, in cooperation with the U.S. Navy. Public domain

In case you missed it, Iran launched 30 Paveh-type cruise missiles, 180 or so Shahed drones, and 120 Emad intermediate-range ballistic missiles, as well as other types of weapons, against Israel over the weekend.

But what you might not know is that most of Iran’s weapons were destroyed by US Air Force aircraft and US Navy air defense missiles before they ever reached Israel.

Speaking to the Intercept, a US Air Force senior officer said that half of the weapons fired by Iran failed upon launch or in flight due to technical issues. Of the remaining 160 or so, the US shot down the majority.

In fact, 99% of Iranian missiles were intercepted in what could only be described as a triumph for Western air defense technology. Seriously, love him or hate him, wherever Ronald Reagan is right now he’s got a big smile on his face.

The US Navy even used their brand new, formerly top-secret missile defense interceptor — Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) by Raytheon (an RTX subsidiary).

Never used in combat until now, the SM-3 is “Exo-atmospheric Intercept-Capable,” meaning it can destroy a ballistic missile while it’s still in space.

If you want to see what that looks like from the ground, check out this jaw-dropping video: